ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis University (SLU) is celebrating a noteworthy accomplishment this February: becoming an R1 institution.
The achievement, which was a goal set almost a decade ago, was shared by the office of SLU’s president. The office announced that the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching published its 2025 Research Activity Designations for colleges and universities, with SLU being listed as an R1 school.
With that title—considered very high spending and doctorate production—SLU is recognized for its high research activity, joining 186 other institutions that also have that status.
“SLU researchers are increasing knowledge and expanding treatment options related to Type 2 diabetes, lung cancer, liver disease, non-opioid pain management, palliative care, and more,” the office wrote. “They are developing innovative approaches to sickle cell diagnosis, health care for the aging, and maternal and child health.”
The university further acknowledged its celebration through its geospatial scientists, who helped strengthen the community through their improvements in health outcomes and food insecurity.
Being a Jesuit institution, SLU attributed its faith to becoming a model for other universities.
“In the classroom and through research and other experiential learning opportunities, faculty across the institution are engaging students in the unique rewards and trials of a quest for answers that have not yet been found,” the office wrote.
According to the Carnegie Classification’s release, schools with R1 designation spend around $50 million on research and award 70 doctorates annually.